tank placement

[newguy]

I am new to this forum. I recently set up an aquarium with two common goldfish. I have large bay windows in my room and the aquarium is on the large windowsill. Is this ok? I have read that aquariums should not be placed in direct sunlight. I have shades on all my windows and I reason that if I keep the shades down most of the time I should be fine. Thanks.

[crackatinny]

The main reason to not put a tank in direct sunlight, is that it will cause exsessive alge growth, you say the shades are closed most of the time, so I guess it would be ok, but I would keep a watchful eye out for any signs of an alge bloom.

[A340]

Also, direct sunlight can heat up the water, especially in an aquarium, quite rapidly.

[hungryhound]

I am new to this forum. I recently set up an aquarium with two common goldfish. I have large bay windows in my room and the aquarium is on the large windowsill. Is this ok? I have read that aquariums should not be placed in direct sunlight. I have shades on all my windows and I reason that if I keep the shades down most of the time I should be fine. Thanks.

What Crackatinny and aliz340 say are correct. I would add that if you have light curtains or shades that do not block all of the light, you will need to keep an eye on it, as the residual light coming through may cause an algae bloom.

If you do experience algae problems you can limit them by putting a background on the back of your aquarium to block out the direct sunlight.

[Lady Hobbs]

My tank sits near a window. It catches full light but not sunlight. I just got over a lovely green water thing due to the aglae even direct light caused. Curtains are closed again! Goldfish need cooler temps and Aliz is right on with the light heating that tank up.

[sergo]

welcome aboard.

[jeffs99dime]

welcome to a.c.
if you have a crawl space in your house, set up the tank above it. that is really the best place because if the aquarium ever breaks, the water will just run down into the crawl space and not into another room in the house. that would create some damage to the floor, subfloor, ceiling and joists. just a thought.

[newguy]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies. I have another question. I'm not sure if it belongs in this forum but I thought I'd post it here as a follow up to my previous question. I have a 10 gallon tank with two common goldfish (the feeder kind). I bought my aquarium as a kit and it came with a filter that is submerged. I'm not sure what type of filter it is, but it is basically a plastic box that contains white foamy stuff, carbon stones, and some gray stones. I have the inlet hole on the filter hooked up to a pump, and the air bubbles out the outlet of the filter. I also happen to have an airstone and another pump so I also have the airstone bubbling in the tank. I did this because I read that goldfish need a lot of oxygenation. Is this airstone necessary? I was wondering if the air from my filter alone would be enough to keep the water well oxygenated. I'm not sure how much it would cost me to keep the second pump running, but I would also like to keep electricity costs down as well.

[xoolooxunny]

an air pump for your 10g is using only a couple of watts, probably around 5. That's a few pennies at most, so no worries.

[Incredulous_Ed]

Eventually you'll have to move the goldfish because they get really big for a 10 gallon. And as xoolooxunny said, the air stone shouldn't have much of an impact on your electricity bills.

[newguy]

Eventually you'll have to move the goldfish because they get really big for a 10 gallon.

I have read this before. In fact, I have done some research on goldfish and some sources I checked out have contradicted others. Some of the websites I looked at recommend 10 gallons of water per fish for optimal health. Some other websites say the absolute volume doesn't matter because the surface area and amount of oxygenation is what is important. Some employees at the local pet store told me that two goldfish would live comfortably in a 10 gallon tank. So what exactly is the reason for keeping goldfish in such a large volume? Is it so that they will grow to their fullest potential?

[Chrona]

I have read this before. In fact, I have done some research on goldfish and some sources I checked out have contradicted others. Some of the websites I looked at recommend 10 gallons of water per fish for optimal health. Some other websites say the absolute volume doesn't matter because the surface area and amount of oxygenation is what is important. Some employees at the local pet store told me that two goldfish would live comfortably in a 10 gallon tank. So what exactly is the reason for keeping goldfish in such a large volume? Is it so that they will grow to their fullest potential?

Surface area and oxygenation really only becomes a concern if your water is stagnant or if you have a really tall tank. The main concern is none of the above. Even if you had amazing filtration, the end product of the waste produced by the fish after it had been processed - nitrates - would build very quickly in a smaller tank. Having a larger tank dilutes the amount of it present. Goldfish are one of the biggest waste producers, and so require more tank volume/filtration than other fish of the same length. Furthermore, most fish give off a growth inhibiting hormone as a means for making sure they do not start to overpopulate bodies of water in nature. In an aquarium, this can build up, and very quickly in smaller tanks, stunting growth. Two small goldfish will do ok in a 10g tank, but they outgrow it very quickly. Local fish stores rarely ever give good advice. That was probably the first thing I came to learn, heh.

Also, you don't have to have an airstone for goldfish. Just lower the level of water so the filter has a waterfall effect and you'll get more oxygen in.

[newguy]

Two small goldfish will do ok in a 10g tank, but they outgrow it very quickly.

How will I know when the goldfish are too large for my tank?

[Rue]

When they have no room to 'go' anywhere...

[xoolooxunny]

When they have no room to 'go' anywhere...

That and the fact that they will dirty up the water faster than you can clean it...

[crackatinny]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies. I have another question..

Just a tip, If you have any more questions, it would be best to start threads for individual questions, with the question in the thread title, you will get more responses and help on the particular prob that way:thumb:

[Chrona]

How will I know when the goldfish are too large for my tank?

Basically when those two hit 3 inches, you need to move them out. Though the sooner the better.